Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell has confirmed that he will be without his captain, George Ray, for the remaining two games of the season against Plymouth and Barnet. A scan has revealed a stress fracture in the back that Ray aggravated further at Yeovil on Easter Monday. He had to be replaced at the half-time break with Billy Bingham operating at centre-half for the second half at Huish Park.

With Ben Nugent and Jon Guthrie also ruled out through injury, Bingham had to play in the unfamiliar position again against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Crewe won 3-0 and Bingham excelled alongside Perry Ng.

Artell told the club’s official web-site: “George has a stress fracture of the back and he won’t play in the last two games. If it was the cup final then maybe he would risk it but we will be cautious and give it time to heal.

“He won’t play, but I thought Billy and Perry did really well. Billy is a sensible lad and although he has only played at centre-half twice in his career, he has shown his versatility and added another string to his bow.

He added: “We are fine with him and Pez. If they are injured then we will whack a plaster on them and push them down the tunnel on Saturday.”